One thing I would rarely worry about while hiking in the U.S. is a cow encounter of the perilous kind. Apparently Swiss cows are a different breed altogether.



After a number of reports from distressed hikers, the Swiss Hiking Federation has found it necessary to issue an advisory to the country's wanderers.

The cautionary guide is posted on the group's Web site - but unfortunately not with an English version. MSNBC.com has kindly translated these warnings:

"Do not wave sticks."
"Never caress a calf."
"Do not scare the animals or look them directly in the eye."

The animals' increased anti-social behavior is attributed to current rearing practices that offer the cows fewer interactions with humans. Roaming the free range in the Swiss Alps is apparently a wilder adventure than the brochures would suggest.